there are still good people at the pentagon and i'm sure they will do a good job, but we should have that secretary of defense, one of the most critical appointments in the president's cabinet filled. this notion that we have to make a political stand here and stop chuck hagel today to make some political point really troubles me. some of the requests for information about chuck hagel go beyond any of the standards of disclosure we have ever seen before. this isn't fair. it isn't fair to chuck hagel, it isn't fair to the president, it certainly isn't fair to the men and women in uniform all across the united states and around the world who are risking their lives for this country. those who come to the floor and say in ten days, he'll be fine. for goodness sakes, let' swallow your pride. let's fill phil this spot. let's not have this sad, historic filibuster on this appointment to the president's cabinet. i really hope my colleagues will reflect on what chuck hagel has meant in his live, his service to the country, his service to the state of nebraska and his service to this nation a